Will Edwards had tried for years to win the Veterans' Home Run 5K in Colorado Springs. He was always within shouting distance of the race leaders, but never could break through. So when he took the lead on Saturday there was one thing on his mind.
"I just told myself, 'I have to win. I have to win,'" Edwards said.
He talked himself into it. Edwards, a 19-year-old Harrison High School graduate, took the victory in 16 minutes, 44 seconds. It is his first win in a citizens' road race.
He was challenged by Josiah Valenzuela, 17, of Colorado Springs, who crossed the finish line a step behind. Randy Horner finished third in 17:18.
In the women's race, Kendelle Krause, 24, flew into Colorado Springs on Friday, got out of bed on Saturday morning and won in a time of 21:35. Not bad, considering she lives in Illinois and ran hard in Colorado Springs'altitude. Amelia Jaime, 31, of Colorado Springs placed second in 22:48, followed by Nancy Hobbs, 50, of Colorado Springs in 22:50.